Gymnastics

Alex had her first gymnastics class today. I signed her up a while ago, but she couldn't start until she turned 2. Lucky for us, they had a session starting the week after she turned 2. This was her first experience where she had to listen to someone other than a parent, wait her turn and follow directions. The parents have a viewing room on the 2nd floor and also have the option to go on the floor with their kid. Miss Summer came up to get the kiddos and Alex didn't even look back so I stayed in the viewing room. I poked my head out a few times to snap some pics, but I didn't want to distract her too much. They started in a circle on squares and they went around and said their favorite food and did a lap around the circle. I'm pretty sure Alex said her favortie food was "yum!" Then Miss Summer took her and her friend Helen on their lap around the circle. From there, they split up in age groups. Alex and the other 2 year olds went to the rings first. Alex had no idea what to do, so she would touch the rings and push them away. Then she went to the wedge mat where she was supposed to try a forward roll, instead she chose to slide down it. The second station was bars, where they tried to hang, then a tunnel to crawl through and the bars again. Alex liked the tunnel the best. The last station was a wedge mat again where they would do another roll, a bar on the floor they held onto and tried to kick their feet up and a spring board they got to bounce on and jump off. She finally tried a forward roll at the last station.

Considering it was her first time in any type of organized activity, she did great! She has problems waiting her turn and actually staying on her mat when it isn't her turn, but other than that she did good. She stayed on her mat more that I thought she would. She got a stamp at the end of class!

getting ready to leave the house

sitting on her mat beside Helen

Miss Summer taking Alex and Helen on their lap around the circlethe bars

being directed to her mat for about the 30th time

2nd Birthday Party!

We celebrated Alex's 2nd birthday Saturday afternoon. My parents and Josh's parents were here all day Saturday to help us prepare. Our theme was Ice Cream Bar. The colors were orange, hot pink and aqua. Alex was OBSESSED with the balloons on the mail box. She actually saw them before her nap when my dad was bringing them up the driveway. I ran out and asked him to take them around back so we could hide them in our closet. The party started at 3 so we had to wake Alex up from her nap. As soon as she got up, she went to the front door and said balloon over and over again. We kept trying to redirect her attention to no avail.

We finally brought in a few balloons. By the end of the party, all dozen that were on the mail box had made their way inside!
Alex had a blast opening her presents and throwing tissue paper around. We are so lucky to have wonderful friends who love our little girl.
After presents, we started the ice cream bar. We gave everyone a selection of 3 flavors then had toppings (nuts, mini M&M's and sprinkles) along with caramel, hot fudge, whipped cream and cherries! Instead of cake, I made mini cupcakes so there wouldn't be too much of a sugar over load! We had so much fun! I realized after hosting a shower and a birthday party within 3 weekends of each other is hard work...we may be having her birthday party somewhere else next year!

Our sweet little family!

Birthday!

On Friday, I got up early and picked up donuts so I could be here as soon as Alex woke up on her birthday. Josh and I put together her kitchen the night before, so I wanted to see her sweet little face when she saw it for the first time! She absolutely loved it! So much that she didn't even want any donuts because she wanted to keep playing. We finally talked her into sitting at her kitchen counter to eat a little.

Alex hates getting her hands dirty when she eats sweet stuff for some reason, so she ate the top off part of her donut and decided that was all she wanted.
After breakfast, we had a Lady Gaga dance party. Alex loves her some Lady Gaga! She showed off her jumping skills!

We all got ready and went to see Toy Story 3. We weren't sure how she'd do, but she was great!!! She sat in her little booster seat and munched on pretzels and goldfish. About 20 minutes before the movie was over she started getting antsy and went back and forth between Josh and me. After the movies we went out to lunch. Alex's favorite...Pizza!

Nomi and Popi got to our house around 7:30 so we went to dinner. We went to Chili's so Alex could have some chips and "sauce." She loves salsa, which she calls sauce.

I love that Josh took off the entire day so we could spend Alex's birthday together doing her favorite things! Seeing my sweet girl so happy just makes my heart smile. Josh and I had so much fun on her birthday, especially because we could tell she loved her special day!

Happy 2nd Birthday

Happy Second Birthday

Alexandra Rae!

Dear Alexandra,

I can't believe you are two years old. It seems like just a few months ago to me...

From the day I told your mommy that if we had a daughter I wanted her name to be Alexandra, I knew that I would love you. I cried the day we found out your mommy was pregnant and I cried the day you were born. You were beautiful to me then and you are even more beautiful to me now.

Each and every day of your life, you have made mine more special. Without your hugs in the morning, my days are empty. Without your laugh, my days are sad. Without your smile, I am missing a part of myself. Without you, there is no me.

Your mommy and you have made me complete. You have both changed my life for the better in every way possible; I know what is important now. I wake up every day and look forward to what the day holds for you. Your excitement is contagious; your love is infectious.

I watch you grow up every day with a blend of happiness and sadness. I will always treasure each day because they are fleeting. You're becoming a little girl now, but you'll forever be my baby. I just hope that as each year goes by, you still let your daddy hold you...even if it's only for a few seconds. I love you Alexandra Rae and I always will.

Forever your daddy.

Alexandra Rae,

I can not believe 2 short years ago you were a tiny little 5 pound 12 ounce baby who decided to surprise everyone by making an early appearance. The first time I held you in my arms, I knew my life was complete. Every day since, my love has grown even more that I ever thought possible. You went from a sweet little baby to a beautiful toddler in the blink of an eye.

You make me smile and laugh a million times a day. You melt me when you snuggle up to me and plant big kisses on my mouth. You are the sweetest little thing. I love experiencing life through your eyes. I am so lucky to be your Mommy.

There are so many things I want for you, but more than anything I want you to know every single day how much I love you. You bring so much joy to my life!

Happy 2nd Birthday my sweet baby!

Love you today, tomorrow and always,

Mommy

A First

Josh and I have been very adamant about Alex not sleeping with us. She has slept in her crib since she came home from the hospital. She's been waking up at night, most of the time she puts herself back to sleep, but sometimes I end up sleeping in her room on the floor with her. Not the most ideal situation, but oh well. She tosses and turns so much that she is impossible to share a bed with. Last night, she woke up screaming and crying so Josh told me to just bring her to bed with us...so after almost 2 years of sleeping in her own crib at home, we gave in and let her sleep with us. The only time she has slept with us was when we were traveling and even then, we usually have her sleep in her pack and play. Since she was tired, she didn't move around too much and fell asleep fairly quick. I rolled over this morning and watched my sweet little angel sleeping between us. The bad part, she woke up around 6:30, got off the bed and started playing.

July 4th and Parties!

4th of July is always a big holiday for us. The Stafin side is HUGE on fireworks so we always get together at the lake house to hang out and shoot off massive amounts of fireworks!

Since Alex's birthday is right around July 4th we have 2 mini parties for her since the whole family is together. The first one was Saturday afternoon. Alex LOVED blowing the candle out!

Alex got tons of cute clothes and a Tag Jr. she LOVES! I totally recommend it. We programmed it so it says her name every time she turns it on and turns it off. I already found her a few more books on clearance!

After her nap, we played outside. Alex really enjoys playing with her cousins. Jordan and Sabrina took her on a little walk!

Before it started getting dark, the boys hauled all the fireworks to the point. They take great pride in setting everything up so it's ready to go once it gets dark!

I wasn't too sure what Alex would think about the fireworks. She slept through them last year! This year, she LOVED them! She went back and forth between her chair and the swing with Grandma. After each round of fireworks, she would cheer and clap, then say "more Daddy!!!"

Sunday morning we went to my parents. My grandparents were there too! We hung out for a little while, then after Alex went down for a nap, Mom and I ran to the store to get a few things for her 2nd pre-party! We had a small cookout and cupcakes, then watched some more fireworks.

Alex got the cutest bowl and spoon that she carried around most of the day. She pretended to feed everyone and even held on tight while she was swinging.

Baby girl was getting sleepy before the fireworks. As soon as we got settled on our blanket, she asked for milk so we hiked back up to the house to get some milk. She flopped down and had milk while we watched some fireworks.

We have the best families! Alex was showered with tons of cute clothes and some great toys! We are so lucky to have such wonderful parents who love our little girl as much as we do! We are so grateful they are still making the 3 hour drive for Alex's birthday party next weekend, even though we already celebrated with them!

One More Week

I have one more week to savor every moment with my one year old. Next Friday, she will be 2!

We have a busy weekend visiting both sets of grandparents, having 2 mini birthday parties and watching tons of fireworks! So that means, tons of pictures to come!